Issue 286: Red Flag

3SQN deploys to Red Flag Alaska, makes historic Japan visit

July saw the RAAF’s 3 Squadron not only sharpen its air combat skills in Red Flag Alaska, but on its transit back to Australia make a historic visit to Misawa Air Base in Japan, the first time a RAAF fighter squadron had been hosted by the Japan Air Self Defence Force.

Every year typically one of the RAAF’s frontline fighter squadrons will deploy to a Red Flag exercise on a rotating basis to meet Air Combat Group’s objective that all fighter pilots are exposed to the exercise during their first three to four year tour. This year it was 3SQN’s turn to take part in a Red Flag, with seven of the unit’s classic F/A-18 Hornets and 138 personnel heading north, to Alaska, for Exercise Red Flag Alaska 11-2.